Foot and base construction



Dec. 24, 1940. J GOUGH 2,225,953

FOOT AND BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 6, 1938 36 M HI Wu ATTORNEY-3 Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOOT ANDBASE CONSTRUCTION- Application May 6, 1938, Serial No. 206,404

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a mounting or supporting means which may be used to support devices of various types but which is particularly useful for mounting and supporting electrical appliances with respect to the usual supporting surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mounting means or supporting base having supporting foot portions comprising relatively flat pieces of material secured to flanged portions of the base so as to be structurally strong and to adequately distribute the supporting stresses while presenting an improved and attractive appearance,

' The present invention comprehends more speciflcally the provision of a supporting base having supporting foot members extending below the base and secured to one side flange while being engaged by a second flange for additional support.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a supporting base as above for an electrical appliance wherein fastening means is provided to secure the supporting foot members against a downwardly extending flange and wherein a second angularly arranged flange engages about a portion of the periphery of the foot members to provide further interengagement for distributing the weight of the appliance.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a supporting base having supporting foot members which comprise relatively flat elements having a curved peripheral surface which engages interiorly of a curved, resilient flange formed on the base while at the same time being mounted upon another flange extending angularly with respect thereto.

Among other objects of the present invention are to provide a supporting base having foot members as above which are decorative and pleasing in appearance; and to provide a structure which may be manufactured at relatively little expense by simple forming operations.

Numerous other objects and advantages will more fully appear during the course and progress of the following specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view showing a device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail elevational view taken from one endof the appliance shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 3--3 in Figure 2. r

Figure 4 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 4-4 in Figure 1.

' Figure 5 is a perspective view of one corner of the supporting base of the above figures, the parts being shown in disassembled relationship. 5-:

Figures 6 and '7 are sectional elevations taken relatively in the same portion of the structure as Figure 4, but showing alternative modified forms of corner construction embodying the principles of the present invention.

Referring to the figures of the drawing, wherein like numerals refer to corresponding parts, it will be seen that Figures 1 to 5 inclusive disclose a preferred form of device embodying the principles of the present invention. This structure 15; comprises an electrical appliance indicated generally by the numeral I0 which, in the present instance, is a wafiie iron of known make and construction and which is mounted rigidly upon the supporting base member indicated by the nug0v meral I2. The supporting base is formed of flat sheet material having an upper surface M which is embossed or raised slightly adjacent the central portion as at It for interconnection to the waffle iron It! by means of bolts or rivets (not shown).

The forward edge of the sheet base member [2, as viewed in Figure 1, is flanged downwardly as at I8, the rearward edge being preferably identically conflgurated. The resulting flange, accordingly, provides a vertically extending, flat 30; wall (Figures 2, 4 and 5). The flanges [8 at either end are conflgurated with the curved, projecting tab 20 which it will be noted in the present embodiment comprises a peripheral edge formed in a curve which is a part of a circle. An aperture 35': 22 is formed in the center of this circular projection by punching or otherwise forming the material thereof inwardly, as shown in detail in Figure 4, the aperture, in other words, being defined by a short, tubular extension 24. This tu- 40' bular extension projects inwardly on the inner faces of the flanges l8 for securement to supporting foot members, as will hereinafter appear more in detail.

The supporting foot members shown in the 5 figures comprise flat disks 26 apertured centrally as at 28 and having somewhat the configuration of a washer. The central aperture 28 of each of the supporting foot members is adapted toengage securely over the tubular extension 24 formed 50.

v on the flange l8 and is held rigidly in place in juxtaposition to the flange by upsetting or forming over the free edge of the tubular portion 24 as at 30.

Attention is, particularly directed to Figures 55;

3 and 4 wherein it is shown that the disks 26, providing the supporting foot portions of the base member, are rigidly secured flatwise against the inner face of the flanges l8 and, accordingly, extend in a parallel plane with respect to these flanges. The disks 26, moreover, extend downwardly below the lower edges of the flanges to space the flanges and the remainder of the base from any supporting surface upon which the appliance may be positioned. In accordance with the present invention it is preferred that the disks 26 comprise some suitable insulating material to protect the underlying surface against heat which might otherwise be transmitted from the appliance. To this end the disks 26 may be formed of fibrous material, plastics, wood or any other suitable substance.

It is important to note that thus far the present supporting base structure, as described, supports the appliance entirely by the stresses transmitted through the flanges l8. The present invention, however, comprehends the distribution of these stresses in directions transversely of the flange 18 in such a manner that the top surface of the base will be maintained relatively rigid at all times. To this end the base [2 is provided with curved flanges 32 which extend in planes normal to the flange It. The flanges l8 and 32 are, accordingly, relatively angularly arranged and extend in lines which intersect in the vicinity of, each of the supporting foot members or disks 25.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the curved flanges 32 are so formed that they coincide with the peripheral curve of each of the disks along a portion at least thereof. The disks, moreover, are preferably arranged, as shown in all the figures, so that their peripheral surface is tangent with the under surface of the supporting base. As a result the curved flange 32, not only serves to rigidify the base structure along the end edges thereof, but is supported directly upon the supporting foot members.

According to one preferred form of the present invention it has been found desirable to form the supporting base I2 of sheet material so that the flanges 32 relatively resiliently engage against the adjacent periphery of the disks 26. This arrangement permits the parts to register at all times and to distribute the supporting stresses over a relatively large extent of periphery.

It will be obvious from the above disclosure that this result is enabled by virtue of the fact that the periphery of each disk 26 extends beyond the end of the flange l8 and beyond the curved edge of the tab or projection 20. In other words, due to the fact that the curved edge of the tab and the periphery of the disks 26 are concentric, an annular space indicated by the reference numeral 34 exists between the respective flanges l8 and 32 and extends to the base of the curved flange 32 so that this latter flange is, not only free to move resiliently in its plane, but will assuredly at all times bear against the periphery of the disks 26 without interference from any other portions of the base. Aside from this practical result, it will be apparent that this arrangement results in a novel and highly improved decorative appearance which may be productive of numerous artistic eifects through the use of contrasting materials or by variations in configuration of the relative parts coming clearly within the scope of the present invention.

Handle members 36 are secured intermediate of the curved flanges 32 by screws (not shown) passing through the flange. The handle members 36 have a surface configuration adapted to engage about the curved surface of the flange and, accordingly, enhance the longitudinal rigidity thereof when clamped in place by means of their fastening screws.

In the preferred modified embodiment of the present invention disclosed in Figure 6, the supporting foot member or disk 26 is fastened to the flange l8 through the agency of a rivet 38. It will be apparent from the above disclosure that this structure obviates the necessity for punching or forming the tubular portion 24 hereinbefore mentioned and, not only may produce a different artistic effect in the finished article, but permits assembly by methods which, in some instances, may be more desirable or convenient.

According to the additional modified embodiment shown in Figure 7, the disk 26 is secured to the flange l8 by means of an eyelet 40, the opposite edges of which are formed over to fasten the members together.

The present invention lends itself readily to production by a variety of simple manufacturing methods. For example, the body I2 of the supporting base member may be stamped or otherwise formed, as indicated in Figure 5, and the disk 26 then secured in place by forcing it over the tubular extension 24 formed on the inner surface of the flange l8, after which the edge of the tubular portion may be upset to complete the assembly. Alternatively the disk 26 may be secured to the flange l8, as shown, and the curved flange 32 bent thereabout. The embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7 lend themselves to fabrication by analogous steps.

The present invention provides a supporting foot and base construction which, while being simple in character and involving no manufacturing difficulties, may be extremely rigid and adequate for the support of various appliances. While the supporting foot members have been herein illustrated as comprising disks, it will be apparent that the invention isnot limited to foot members having this specific peripheral configuration. Although it is preferred that this said periphery adjacent the engaged portions thereof be arranged in curved planes, nevertheless it is, according to the broad aspect of the present invention, comprehended that the parts possess substantially any desired relative configuration, permitting them to interengage as herein defined.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In combination with an electrical appliance, a supporting base for positioning the electrical appliance with respect to a supporting surface, said base being formed of sheet material and having a downwardly flanged side edge, a supporting foot member secured flatwise to the said flange with its side face in juxtaposition to the inner face of the flange and its periphery arranged in a curved plane extending laterally of the flange, and a second flange formed on the base and extending about a portion at least of the curved periphery of the foot member.

2. In combination with an electrical appliance, a supporting base for positioning the electrical appliance with respect to a supporting surface,

said base being formed of sheet material and having a downwardly flanged side edge, a supporting foot member having a curved periphery and being secured to the said flange with its side face in juxtaposition to the inner face of the flange and having its periphery in substantial tangency to the lower face of said sheet base, and a second flange formed on the base and extending in a line intersecting said first named flange and being bent about the said curved periphery of the supporting foot member for engagement with a portion of the curved surface thereof.

3. A supporting base for an article of manufacture, said base being formed of sheet material and having spaced, downwardly projecting flanges, supporting foot members comprising relatively flat elements having a curved, peripheral surface, means securing said members substantially flatwise to the inner surfaces of the said flanges with their lower portions projecting downwardly below the flanges for supporting the base with respect to a supporting surface, and additional curved flanges on said base and extending downwardly from said base and engaging about a portion at least of said peripheral surfaces for additionally mounting and supporting the base with respect to said supporting foot members.

4. A supporting base for an article of manufacture, said base being formed of sheet material and having a downwardly extending flange adjacent a side edge thereof, a supporting foot member comprising a substantially flat disk-like element secured to the inner face of said flange adjacent one edge thereof with its periphery extending downwardly below the flange, the said periphery also projecting beyond one of the ends of said flange, and a further curved, downwardly extending flange formed adjacent an intersecting side edge, the curve of said last named flange being substantially congruent to the peripheral curve of said disk-like element, said curved flange being arranged to register with and to engage about a portion at least of the said curved periphery for supporting the base upon the foot member.

5. A generally rectangular supporting base for an article of manufacture, said base being formed of sheet material and having a substantially vertical, downwardly extending flange along the side edge thereof, and a supporting foot member comprising a flat disk secured flatwise to the inner face of said flange adjacent one end of the flange by fastening means extending substantially centrally through the disk, said base having an end edge portion curved downwardly about a portion of the periphery of said disk and resiliently engaging a portion of the surface thereof.

6. A supporting base for an article of manufacture, said base having a downwardly extending flange adjacent a side edge thereof, a supporting foot member comprising a substantially flat member having a curved peripheral portion and being secured flatwise to the inner face of said flange adjacent one end thereof, with a portion of its periphery extending downwardly below the flange, and a further curved, downwardly extending flange formed adjacent an intersecting side edge, the curve of said last named flange being substantially congruent to the peripheral curve of said element, said curved flange being adapted to register with and to engage about a portion at least of said curved periphery for supporting the base upon the foot member.

JAMES J. GOUGH. 

